Seams like yesterday as industry returns

WHEN Claremont Garments closed its doors in the North-East, it was seen by many as a death knell for the region's clothes making industry.

But from those ashes, a renaissance is emerging.

The AMA Group, in Peterlee, east Durham, yesterday officially started work on products as it plots to put the North-East's clothing heritage back on the map.

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It has created an initial 20 jobs, and bosses, who include former Claremont Garments' directors Paul Watts and David and Julie Price, hope to employ more than 150 staff by next year.

The new venture has already captured the attention of one high street retailer, with bosses in negotiations to secure further work.

It has received the backing of Lord Alliance, the former chairman of Coats Viyella and current non-executive director of N Brown, which operates the Andrew Flintoff-inspired Jacamo brand.

Bosses have also visited Italy to assess specialist bonding techniques, which they will adopt at Peterlee as they aim to set their work apart from rivals.

Its presence in the region is a major boost to County Durham's employment landscape, which once boasted a number of clothing makers, including fur coat maker Astraka, Sara Lee Courtaulds, Ramar, and Dewhirst, which made trousers for Marks and Spencer.

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